Conor McGregor is set to make his long-awaited UFC welterweight comeback against Max Holloway in Las Vegas after a five-year absence from the sport. The controversial Irishman remained in the spotlight throughout his time away, with speculation surrounding football club ownership and a potential presidential campaign.
McGregor's Fighting Legacy
McGregor, despite his turbulent reputation, stands as one of the sport's most iconic figures. He made history as the first fighter to simultaneously hold two world titles across different weight divisions. His clashes with Jose Aldo, Khabib Nurmagomedov, and Nate Diaz were defining moments of their era. His boxing showdown with Floyd Mayweather in 2017 stands among the most profitable single-day sporting spectacles in history.
McGregor's career was halted in 2021 after suffering a broken leg during his trilogy bout with Dustin Poirier. A planned 2024 comeback was scuppered by a toe injury. An 18-month doping suspension he had been serving came to an end in March. Now, at 37, he returns to the major stage on Saturday night.
What Is Conor McGregor's Net Worth?
McGregor has accumulated considerable wealth through both his fighting achievements and numerous business endeavours. Within the UFC, some of his early contests earned him millions, though it was his high-profile championship bouts that truly bolstered his finances. He claimed to have pocketed approximately £37 million for UFC 229 against Khabib and £22.5 million when he took on Donald 'Cowboy' Cerrone in 2020. His final two bouts with Poirier also brought in £18.5 million and £22.5 million, respectively, according to estimates.
However, the Mayweather superfight proved to be the jackpot, with reports suggesting McGregor earned close to £100 million from that contest alone. McGregor has also thrived commercially during his time away from the octagon. His career earnings can be combined with his ownership stake in Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship, his Forged Irish Stout venture, and his appearance in Amazon Prime's reboot of Road House. His most profitable business transaction came when he offloaded his majority stake in Proper No. Twelve Irish Whiskey in 2021. That single transaction was valued at up to £450 million, from which McGregor personally banked over £100 million. Overall, Celebrity Net Worth estimates that the Irishman possesses a net worth of approximately £150 million.
What Was Conor McGregor's Manchester United Proposal?
Months before he sustained a broken leg against Poirier, McGregor took to social media with an audacious proposal. Following the European Super League's collapse in 2021, McGregor posted: "Hey guys, I'm thinking about buying Manchester United! What do you think?" He subsequently reinforced the notion, stating: "Both Celtic and Manchester United are teams I definitely like. I'm open, I feel like I could do great things for a club." Nothing materialised from this reported interest, however, and he subsequently displayed an apparent affection for both Liverpool and Chelsea while asserting he was in discussions to purchase shares in Celtic.
What Were Conor McGregor's Presidency Ambitions?
Remaining active during his hiatus, McGregor formally announced a campaign to stand for President of Ireland in March 2025. This ambitious objective, however, proved fleeting, as he withdrew his candidacy in September. To legally secure his place on the ballot, he required official nominations from either 20 members of the Irish Parliament or four local city or county councils. He quickly recognised he faced a challenging task in obtaining this support and withdrew. He criticised the system on social media platform X.
He'll leave this behind him as he enters the cage as an underdog against Holloway, whom he last faced 13 years ago, and returns to the bright lights of Sin City.
